With an absolute majority, the government of Socialist Prime Minister António Costa approved in Parliament the new legal regime for foreigners in Portugal. Among the main alterations submitted to the deputies yesterday are the new temporary visa for job search, the end of positive opinion of the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) to release immigrants and create visas for digital nomads.
But what changes now? Nothing. The new regime still needs to be sanctioned by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, immigration sympathizer. It was published in the Diário da República. Faced with pending issues, a certain date to enter into force does not exist. But delaying means losing the chance to recover a crucial part of the economy this summer. In addition to postponing the protection of foreigners who are victims of false promises of employment and who end up as irregular immigrants.
The bureaucratic process needs to speed up to quickly close the gaps of widespread labor shortages. In Aveiro alone, businessmen say they need 1,500 workers, most of them in tourism. sectors of tourism, hotels and restaurants estimate that around 50,000 people are needed immediately in all regions. Apart from civil construction, information technology, ground support at airports and miscellaneous services. The list is big.
Since the day that the Minister of Finance, Fernando Medina, said there is no date to enter into force until the approval of the package in the Council of Ministers, the procedure was fast. It also reached Parliament quickly, which generated criticism. The opposition pointed to haste in the legislative process. The Presidency will also need to be nimble to keep up with the speed of government and the needs of the economy.
In addition to the socialists, the new regime had votes in favor of the former allies of the left, Left Bloc and Communist Party. THE extreme right bench do Chega left the hemicycle in protest, making discriminatory comments. They were rejected by the President of Parliament, the socialist Augusto Santos Silva.
— I believe that Portugal owes a lot, a lot to the many thousands of immigrants who work here, who live here and who contribute to our Social Security here — declared Santos Silva.
It's good to remember: Brazilians contribute the most to Social Security in Portugal.
With record consecutive annual increases, the Brazilian community is the largest among foreigners and should receive a significant boost. That's what the lawyer and director of Martins Castro, Renato Martins, thinks, remembering that the visa to look for work is in the interest of thousands of Brazilians with plans to enter the country on a regular basis.
— The policy of attracting foreign professionals is strategic for Portugal's economic dynamism. For professionals who want to internationalize their careers, Portuguese territory becomes an excellent destination, as it will guarantee regular entry - said Martins.
The new visa will allow legal residence for 120 days, extendable for another 60, with presentation of tickets and means of subsistence. At the end of the period, the immigrant must leave the country if he cannot find work other than on his own.
By Gian Amato